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  1. Home
  2. School of Public Affairs
  3. Criminal Justice (M.A.)

Program Requirements for Admission

Note: In addition to the general prerequisites for admission to the Fox Graduate School, the following is required by this degree program:

Requirements More Information
GPA Minimum GPA of a 3.0 for the last 60 credits of undergraduate study is generally required.
Supporting Materials
  • If GPA is less than 3.0, a satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT), or Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is required. 
  • Students who seek funding must take one of the above standardized tests, preferably the GRE.
  • Three letters of recommendation preferably from instructors or others who can assess the applicant's ability to succeed in graduate studies.
  • a brief two-page statement of purpose or a writing sample
  • Some foundational course work may be required for those students who did not major in criminal justice as an undergraduate. This decision will be made by the MACJ Program Coordinator after a close review of the undergraduate transcript.

In exceptional cases, the program may approve admission to students with special backgrounds, abilities, and interests.

Application Deadline

This program has rolling admission, that is, no specific deadline. Note that it may take 4-6 weeks to receive transcripts and process an application.

Criminal Justice (M.A.)

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Emma Leaman

Grad student Emma Leaman discusses her research

In an interview with Sage Publishing, Criminal Justice graduate student Emma Leaman discusses her research on the evaluation of a mental health liaison program at a small police department.

Watch the interview
Apply to Penn State
How to Apply

Criminal Justice Programs

Criminal Justice (B.S.)
Criminal Justice (M.A.)
Criminal Justice Policy and Administration (M.P.S.)
Accelerated B.S./M.A. in Criminal Justice (IUG)
Criminal Justice (A.S.)
Criminal Justice (Minor)

See Also

  • Brochure (PDF)
  • Honor Society
  • Request Information
  • Criminal Justice Internships
Pennsylvania map showing Penn State campuses with Penn State Harrisburg highlighted

Penn State Harrisburg

A comprehensive college in southcentral Pennsylvania offering more than 70 undergraduate and graduate programs.
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